Fun in the sun for old and young at Duns Show

128th Annual Berwickshire County Show in the grounds of Duns Castle.

Published:09:24Friday 09 August 2013

The grounds of Duns Castle played host to farmers, cattle breeders and countryside enthusiasts of all stripes on Saturday. The show went ahead bathed in sunshine, a welcome change after the heavy rain of recent years.

The next generation of farmers was much in evidence. Finlay Bell of Roxburgh Mill, aged 14 and a keen Young Farmer, was accruing rosettes in several of the sheep classes.

128th Annual Berwickshire County Show in the grounds of Duns Castle. The winning team of Sturart Renton and owner Andrew Hodge with the prize winning Aberdeen Angus.

Meanwhile in the Young Handlers class, Isa Gamble, watched on by her proud parents Kate and Alan, paraded her pet calf, who was nearly as tall as her.

And youth prevailed in the Zwartbles class, with victory for young brother and sister Chloe and Cameron Cormack, from Cornhill.

You didn’t have to keep cattle to enjoy leading an animal, though - the Companion Dog Show boasted an array of terriers and other dogs, enjoying being the centre of attention in the Dog Ring.

Our canine friends also provided plenty of entertainment in the main ring in the run-up to the final judging.

128th Annual Berwickshire County Show in the grounds of Duns Castle. Winner of best sheep. Doug Laing wins his class.

The flyball races and dog agility demonstrations went down a storm - although the biggest cheers were for the less obedient but ever-popularJack Russells.

As always the Berwickshire Show attracted a huge number of trade exhibitors around the main ring.

And there were plenty of Berwickshire-based charities who pitched tents at the ringside.

128th Annual Berwickshire County Show in the grounds of Duns Castle. Young handler Isla Gamble gets a first prize.

The Industrial Tent was heaving with produce as usual, with over 800 entries across the classes.

By mid-afternoon, the champions of several species, including an Aberdeen Angus heifer, a pony, a hunter, the best Suffolk tup and a Hamburg Pullet, bred by Duns’ own Marie Evans, were ready to do battle.

After careful deliberation by Robin Forrest, a judge of livestock all over the world, the grey pony Fuinseoig Boy was announced Overall Show Champion.

Fuinseoig Boy is owned by Mrs Margaret Whiteford of East Lothian, and is ridden by her son James .

128th Annual Berwickshire County Show in the grounds of Duns Castle. James Whiteford from East Lothian on Fuinseoig Boy wins the Champion of Champions presented by Rob Forrest.

Margaret says the grey Connemara stallion was only bought last October after The Horse Of The Year Show.

He was originally intended for James to bring on as a novice, but as he progressed so much in such a short space of time they decided to jump him.

Margaret was delighted with the award for such a young pony, who has only been in a handful os shows this season.

Fuinseoig Boy has already been named Champion and Reserve Supreme of Show at Perth, as well as First and Reserve Champion at the Dalkeith Show.

The plan now is for the champion to be aimed at a couple of Horse of the Year of Show qualifiers at the Ponies UK and NPS summer championship shows.

The heifer Rulesmains Barbara, owned by Andrew Hodge, was narrowly beaten into the Reserve place.

128th Annual Berwickshire County Show in the grounds of Duns Castle. Large Foul winner.

Once the Champions Parade - described as the ‘creme de la creme’ by announcer Andrew Morgan - were led away, it was the turn of the vintage vehicles to take centre stage.

Tractors of all kinds chugged around the main ring, showing just how much farming in the region has changed, followed by various fantastic and well-loved vintage cars.

For all the prizewinners, see the Berwickshire Show’s official website at: www.berwickshirecountyshow.co.uk/home.

128th Annual Berwickshire County Show in the grounds of Duns Castle. Chloe and Cameron Cormack from Corhill with one of their prizewinning Zwartbles.